Download Cervical Cancer - Marie Keating Foundation

Cervical Cancer
What you should know
making cancer less frightening by enlightening
cervical cancer
the facts
• Around 325 women are diagnosed with cervical
cancer in Ireland each year
• It is the most common cancer in women under 35
• Women aged 25 to 60 are invited to take part in free
cervical screening through CervicalCheck
• Early treatment can prevent changes in the cervix
developing into cancer
The cervix and cervical cancer
The cervix is another name for the neck of the womb.
The womb and cervix are part of a woman’s reproductive
system, which is made up of the vagina, the womb,
including the cervix, and the ovaries.
The cervix is the opening to the womb from the vagina.
It is a strong muscle. Normally it is quite tightly shut, with
only a small opening to let sperm in and the flow from a
period out of the womb. During labour, the cervix dilates
to allow delivery of the baby.
The cells of the cervix
The cervix is covered with a layer of skin-like cells on its
outer surface. These cells can become cancerous, leading
to cervical cancer.
The area where cervical cells are most likely to become
cancerous is called the transformation zone. It is the area just
around the opening of the cervix. This is the area that your
doctor or nurse will concentrate on during cervical screening.
Risks and causes of cervical cancer
• Sexual History
Women who had sex at a young age or have had several
sexual partners have a higher risk of developing cervical
cancer as they are more likely to develop Human Papilloma
Virus (HPV) infection. But HPV is a common sexually
transmitted infection (STI) which can affect anyone who has
ever been sexually active. Condoms and diaphragms help
protect against many STIs.
• HPV infection
HPV can cause genetic changes in the cells covering the
cervix that make them more likely to become cancerous in
time. As such, it is still important to carry on with cervical
cancer screening even if your first smear comes back clear.
• Smoking
If you smoke, you are more likely to develop cervical cancer.
There are cells in the lining of the cervix (Langerhans cells)
that specifically help fight against disease but these cells do
not work so well in smokers.
• Family History
Women who have a close relative with cervical cancer have a
higher risk of developing the disease.
• Being overweight
Being overweight and not having enough fruit and vegetables
in your diet can also increase your risk of cervical cancer.
What to look out for
Cancers which are found early are the most easily
treated. It makes sense to know how your body normally
looks and feels.
The most common symptom of cervical cancer is
bleeding from the vagina at times other than when you
are having a period. You may experience:
• Bleeding between periods
• Bleeding after or during sex
• Bleeding at any time after the menopause
• A vaginal discharge that smells unpleasant
• Discomfort or pain during sex
It is important to note that there are many conditions
which can cause these symptoms, many of which
are more common than cervical cancer. However, if
you experience any of the above, you are advised to
see your doctor to be sure.
CervicalCheck- the national cervical
screening programme
CervicalCheck is a government funded service that
provides free smear tests every three years to women
aged 25-44 and every five years to women aged 45-60.
To avail of this free smear test, women can arrange an
appointment with any of the 4,500 doctors or nurses
registered with CervicalCheck nationwide. To identify
a GP practice or clinic, visit www.cervicalcheck.ie or
Freephone 1800 45 45 55. Women who have already
participated in CervicalCheck will be automatically
reminded by letter when their next smear test is due.
The CervicalCheck website can also tell you when your
next smear test is due. You will need your PPS number to
hand to use this service.
How cervical cancer is diagnosed
Cervical screening is a way of preventing cancer by finding and
treating early changes in the cervix which could lead to cancer if left
untreated.
The screening is often called a smear test. A nurse or doctor takes
a sample of cells from the cervix with a small brush to check for
abnormalities. In some cases, samples are also tested for HPV as
this can increase the risk of cervical cancer.
What the results mean
CervicalCheck will write to you with the result, usually within two
weeks. Most women have a normal result. In this case you will be
invited for screening again in 3 to 5 years depending on your age.
You may need a repeat test because the sample was inadequate
or could not be read properly. This may be because it was hard to
see the cells of the cervix due to:
• Not enough cells in the sample
• You had an infection
• You had your period
• The cervix was inflamed
If asked to go back for another test, it is very important to follow
through with this instruction. This should usually happen within
three months.
If you have an abnormal result
5% of women have an abnormal cervical screening results. It
means there are changes to the cells on the cervix. These changes
are not cancer. The cells often go back to normal by themselves.
But in some women, if not treated, these changes could develop
into cancer in the future. If cancer does develop, your doctor will
talk to you about treatment options.
Human Papilloma virus School Immunisation Programme
The free HPV vaccine will help to protect girls from developing
cervical cancer. It is available from the HSE for girls in 1st year of
secondary school. It protects against around 70% of all cervical
cancers. As such, it is still important for girls who have been
vaccinated to have regular smear tests when they are adults.
About the Marie Keating Foundation
Following their mother Marie’s death in 1998, the Keating
family promised that they would do everything they could
to bring an end to breast cancer. They committed to
provide all women and their families with the necessary
information to prevent cancer or detect it at its earliest
stages. Their collective aim was “making cancer less
frightening by enlightening”.
Through its community information service, the
Foundation’s dedicated nurses have enlightened over
180,000 people of the causes and risk factors of breast
and other cancers. The Foundation is continuing to
expand its awareness campaigns on each of the key
cancers, at local level through its community outreach
approach as well as through national campaigns.
The Foundation finances other areas of need in cancer
care. Monies raised help to refurbish hospital oncology
waiting rooms in making them more comfortable for
patients. A limited comfort fund for those in financial
difficulty as a result of their illness provides immediate
assistance, when required.
On February 2nd 1998, our mother Marie died from breast
cancer. At the time and all through her illness, we could
do nothing to help our Mother who had, all our lives, done
everything for us. We, the Keating family have set up this
charity in her name to try to help and prevent others going
through what Mam went through and what we are still
going through to this day. This is also to show that such
a wonderful mother and person did not die in vain.
Take care,
Unit 9, Millbank Business Park,
Lucan, Co. Dublin
T +353 1 628 3726 F +353 1 628 3759
E [email protected]
www.mariekeating.ie